_let me
be wise and religious, but let me be_ MAN; wherever Thy Providence
places me, or whatever be the road I take to Thee, give me some
companion in my journey, be it only to remark to, 'How our shadows
lengthen as our sun goes down';--to whom I may say, 'How fresh is the
face of Nature! how sweet the flowers of the field! how delicious
are these fruits!' "--_Sermon 18th._

The first of these passages gives us another drawing of the famous
"Captive". The second shows that the same reflection was suggested
to the Rev. Laurence, by a text in Judges, as by the
_fille-de-chambre_.

Sterne's _Sermons_ were published as those of "Mr. Yorick".

166 "I am glad that you are in love--'twill cure you at least of the
spleen, which has a bad effect on both man and woman--I myself must
even have some Dulcinea in my head; it harmonizes the soul; and in
these cases I first endeavour to make the lady believe so, or
rather, I begin first to make myself believe that I am in love--but I
carry on my affairs quite in the French way, sentimentally--_l'amour_
(say they) _n'est rien sans sentiment_. Now, notwithstanding they
make such a pother about the _word_, they have no precise idea
annexed to it. And so much for that same subject called
love."--STERNE'S _Letters_, May 23rd, 1765.

"PS.--My _Sentimental Journey_ will please Mrs. J---- and my Lydia [his
daughter, afterwards Mrs. Medalle]--I can answer for those two. It is
a subject which works well, and suits the frame of mind I have been
in for some time past. I told you my design in it was to teach us to
love the world and our fellow creatures better than we do--so it runs
most upon those gentler passions and affections which aid so much to
it."--_Letters_ [1767].

167 TO MRS. H----.

"Coxwould, Nov. 15th, 1767.

"Now be a good, dear woman, my H----, and execute those commissions
well, and when I see you I will give you a kiss--there's for you! But
I have something else for you which I am fabricating at a great
rate, and that is my _Sentimental Journey_, which shall make you cry
as much as it has affected me, or I will give up the business of
sentimental writing ...

"I am yours, &c. &c.,

"T. SHANDY."

TO THE EARL OF ----.

"Coxwould, Nov. 28t